Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

My position is clear and consistent on the question of a debate on nuclear power. I would welcome and encourage a debate on the issue. The appropriate forum for such a debate is the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. The committee will provide a forum for all parties in the House to contribute to a structured and informed debate on the issue.

For my own part, I have stated firmly on the record that nuclear power is neither sustainable nor the answer to Ireland's energy needs. Our position is shared by several EU member states and the European Commission has made it repeatedly clear that it is for member states to determine their own energy mix. The energy policy framework and the programme for Government make it clear that the Government fully intends to maintain the statutory prohibition on nuclear generation in Ireland. I look forward to working closely and constructively with the committee and its members on all matters relating to climate change and energy security, which encompasses all the key areas of energy policy.

The debate on nuclear power should be set in the context of the actions which the Government is taking to deliver fully sustainable and diverse energy resources in transport, heating and power generation. In each of the three areas of energy use, I believe that we have sustainable solutions. It is a matter of accelerating delivery on our targets for renewable energies and energy efficiency. In discussions that I had with Commissioner Andris Piebalgs earlier this week, the Commissioner fully supported our priority in these areas, which is also, in his view, the way forward for Europe.

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